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catapocalypse's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was technically a reread, as I'd first read this way back as a teen, at a time when I read a lot of Stephen King. I had enjoyed this one quite a bit, and wanted to see how it held up. Unfortunately, I didn't care for it so much this time around.
I think this book is unusual among Stephen King's other early works, in that it is primarily a fantasy adventure with only a sliver of horror. It follows two princes: Peter is the eldest and a good boy, but he is framed for the murder of their father. Thomas is the younger and fairly troubled, and he struggles in the shadow of his older brother until this murder... when he then must struggle under the shadow of knowing the real cause of their father's death while still assuming the throne that is not rightfully his.
The story starts at a slow pace, but reads quickly as it progresses. There's a lot of fun stuff, including a dragon, an evil magician, an incredibly intricate dollhouse, and even dogsledding. But there are missteps as well. It started off on a bad foot, basically beginning with the 50-year-old king marrying a 17-year-old girl, including his having to explain to her how things were going to work on their wedding night. It felt gross and unnecessary. This is the main reason I would not consider this middle grade/children's as I've seen some shelves describe it... The tone of the storyteller narrator does treat it like a children's tale, though.
In the end, it's not a terrible book, but it's not a great book, either.
I think this book is unusual among Stephen King's other early works, in that it is primarily a fantasy adventure with only a sliver of horror. It follows two princes: Peter is the eldest and a good boy, but he is framed for the murder of their father. Thomas is the younger and fairly troubled, and he struggles in the shadow of his older brother until this murder... when he then must struggle under the shadow of knowing the real cause of their father's death while still assuming the throne that is not rightfully his.
The story starts at a slow pace, but reads quickly as it progresses. There's a lot of fun stuff, including a dragon, an evil magician, an incredibly intricate dollhouse, and even dogsledding. But there are missteps as well. It started off on a bad foot, basically beginning with the 50-year-old king marrying a 17-year-old girl, including his having to explain to her how things were going to work on their wedding night. It felt gross and unnecessary. This is the main reason I would not consider this middle grade/children's as I've seen some shelves describe it... The tone of the storyteller narrator does treat it like a children's tale, though.
In the end, it's not a terrible book, but it's not a great book, either.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Blood